How Elk Change Rivers

Art from NC County Fair - Asheville

Introduction of wolves 

into a valley

changes

the elk and deer population,

which changes the topography

of the land.

Wolves eat elk:

population decreases,

vegetation increases.

In time,

the course of the river 

is changed.

Bird life and Wildlife 

returns

to the hidden valley.

Each is part of the whole,

necessary, essential.

The part that is not fitting well,

right now,

is humankind.

But we can learn.

for Artistic Interpretations with Margaret at Real Toads: to choose one of the paintings and write a poem. My title and the idea of the poem came from the captivating video How Wolves Change Rivers, about the trophic cascade occurring after the introduction of wolves to Yellowstone. 

I am excited these days about the global movement Tree Sisters, who plan to plant a billion trees worldwide this year. I might start a band of Tree Sisters in Tofino. Too many trees have come down here to make way for hotels for rich tourists. (No affordable housing for locals, as a result.) And the rainforest is in dire need of rain - we have had months of sun, thanks to climate change, and the trees are thirsty. We had better learn fast.